Incorporated Village of Asharoken
Board of Trustees Special Meeting
Held on Tuesday
January 22nd, 2013 7:30 P.M
At the Northport American Legion Hall
Approximate Attendance (13)
Officers Present:
Greg Letica, Mayor
Pam Pierce, Deputy Mayor
Joe Catanzano, Trustee
Melvin Ettinger, Trustee
Laura Burke, Trustee
Officials & Appointees Present:
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk
Emily Hayes, Village Treasurer
Bruce Migatz, Village Attorney
Ray Mahdesian, Officer- in- Charge
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Proof of publication was noted.
Mayor Letica introduced Roger Ramme the current assessor for the Village of Northport. He noted that he also acts as a consultant for Huntington Bay and East Hampton.
Roger Ramme introduced himself and provided his background as a current assessor. He noted that he is an attorney not an appraiser and he explained how he defends the SCAR proceedings for the Northport Village and the Village of Huntington Bay. The board had no questions and noted that he seems very well qualified.
Village Attorney, Bruce Migatz noted that the village should have an assessor, even though we use the Town of Huntington’s assessments for the village’s additions. Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse explained the assessment procedures.
Trustee Ettinger asked if the tentative role will be completed by Friday, January 25th, Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse noted that the tentative role will be completed and the procedures are consistent with prior years.
Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse asked the board and Village Attorney if the assessment adjustments made by the SCAR hearings should be reflected in the tentative assessment role, Bruce Migatz, village attorney recommended that they should, unless there is a reason not to carry them forward.
Trustee Pierce asked if the assessor needs any special credentials, the Village Attorney noted not per say, but when it comes down to defending SCAR proceedings you may want to obtain a certified appraiser.
Trustee Catanzano asked how many SCAR proceedings were adjusted and there were six. He noted that last year the Assessment Review Board denied all of the grievance applications.
Village Attorney, Bruce Migatz noted that, it may not be such a good idea to deny all applications; you may want to consider adjusting them before they go to a SCAR proceeding in order to avoid future hearings and legal fees.
Mayor Letica noted that we need an assessor to certify the assessment roll and that since we are simply using Town of Huntington changes as a guide it would be prudent to appoint the village clerk on an interim basis as she has experience doing this from prior years. For this assessment period the board agreed that Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse should act as the assessor. Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse agreed to serve as an assessor without any additional pay for the rest of this fiscal year.
Resolution (2013-07) Be It Resolved that Mayor Letica does hereby make a motion to appoint Nancy Rittenhouse, Assessor for the Village of Asharoken for the remaining of the year to end July 2013.
Motion was made by Mayor Letica, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.
Trustee Catanzano NAY
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Mayor Letica invited Emily Hayes, Treasurer to present the initial run through of the budget for fiscal year 5/31/2014. Emily Hayes explained the initial run through of the budget line by line.
Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse went through the calculation of the 2% tax cap limit.
The Board reviewed several options of tax rate calculations if the budget includes a line item for the Village Hall reconstruction cost.
Trustee Catanzano asked about Sandpiper Farm, Mayor Letica noted that our Village Attorney noted that at the present time it does not appear that Sandpiper Farm is considering asking the village for a reduction. Trustee Catanzano asked if the grievance filing goes back to prior years and Bruce Migatz, noted that you have to file every year to grieve your taxes. Mayor Letica noted that the first run through of the budget includes a budget for potential approved SCAR proceedings.
The Board reconciled and certified that the outstanding property tax report for 2012 compares to the 2012-2013 assessment tax role. The amount of $205.11 has been noted as the amount unpaid taxes for the remaining year 2012-2013. The tax levy shown on the tax assessment role ties to the tax warrant.
Mayor Letica noted that the area south/west of the seawall must be filled in with sand. The board received three estimates. LaMay & Sons estimate was the lowest of the three received.
Resolution (2013-08) Be It Resolved, that the village board does hereby approve the services of LaMay & Sons, Inc. to perform work in the area across from the seawall in the amount not to exceed $3100.00.
Motion was made by Mayor Letica, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse noted that Grievance Day will be the third Tuesday of February 2013. The Assessment Review Board must meet for four consecutive hours.
Mayor Letica asked if the resident had a question, he inquired about the Village Hall Expansion project. Mayor Letica noted that we are making every effort to obtain some funding from FEMA to help support the funding of the project.
Officer-in-charge, Ray Mahdesian notified the board that one of the department’s officers Richard Ramsland had an accident and will be on sick leave for approximately three months.
Mayor Letica made a motion to go into executive session, to discuss the police contract and employee salary increases, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
No Action was taken in Executive Session, and the session ended at 9:51pm
Mayor Letica made a motion to close Executive Session, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Mayor Letica made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
The January22nd, 2013 meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 10:00pm.
Signed: _____________________________________________
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk